IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals announce Dasun Shanaka as injured Sam Curran's replacement

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) have announced the replacement for injured Sam Curran ahead of the upcoming edition of the tournament. Curran has been ruled out of the IPL 2026 reportedly due to a groin issue, and has been replaced by Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka. 

Curran was traded to Rajasthan Royals from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the upcoming season for Rs 2.40 crore. However, in his place, Shanaka will be expected to fulfil the all-rounder duties for the 2008 champions.

The Sri Lanka captain will join RR for Rs 2 crore as Curran’s replacement, according to IPL media advisory. Shanaka brings with him a wealth of experience, having played six Tests, 71 ODIs and 131 T20Is for his country. He has previously played for the Gujarat Titans (GT) during the IPL 2023, joining the team as a replacement for injured Kane Williamson. 

He was further signed again by GT during the 2025 season as an injury replacement for Glenn Phillips, but didn’t get a chance to play. In his IPL career, Shanaka has played three matches and scored 26 runs.

Shanaka recently had a decent T20 World Cup campaign, scoring 165 runs from six innings at an average of 33 with a strike rate of 187.50 with two fifties to his name. Rajasthan Royals head coach and Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, expressed disappointment after losing  Curran but was delighted to find an ideal replacement in Shanaka.

Rajasthan to begin campaign against CSK

“We are disappointed to lose a player of Sam’s calibre so close to the start of the season. Sam brings immense value with both bat and ball. However, we are pleased to have found an ideal replacement in Dasun Shanaka, a finisher with the bat and a quality all-rounder who helps maintain the balance of our side," said Kumar Sangakkara in a media release.

In his T20I career, Shanaka has scored 1912 runs from 118 innings at an average of 20.55 and a strike rate of 128.40. He registered his highest score in the format, scoring an unbeaten 76* (31) recently against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup 2026.

With the ball, the right-arm seamer has scalped 46 wickets at an average of 25.10 and a strike rate of 18.2 with best figures of 3/16. Shanaka's addition will be a massive boost for Rajasthan ahead of the upcoming season as they begin their campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.